Then he said, “Go, borrow empty containers from all your neighbors. Don’t borrow just a few containers.
Parallel Translations
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Then he said, “Go, borrow empty containers from all your neighbors. Don’t borrow just a few containers.
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Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.
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Then he said: 'Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.
Cross-references (5)
Passages linked to 2 Kings 4:3 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- John 2:7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim.
- Psalms 81:10 I am Yahweh, your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
- John 16:24 Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.
- 2 Kings 3:16 He said, “Yahweh says, ‘Make this valley full of trenches.’
- 2 Kings 13:18-19 He said, “Take the arrows;” and he took them. He said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground;” and he struck three times, and stopped. The man of God was angry with him, and said, “You should have struck five or six times. Then you would have struck Syria until you had consumed it; whereas now you will strike Syria just three times.”
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (7 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 2Ki 4:3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels…
2Ki 4:3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, [even] empty vessels; borrow not a few.
Ver. 3. Even empty vessels.] They must be empty hearts, saith Bernard; empty of self, and all ungodly lusts, which God will fill with the oil of grace: Intus existens prohibet alienum, else that precious liquor would be spilt upon the ground.
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Borrow not a few.] Ne paucifices. Let not men be constrained in their own heart; there is enough in God.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain Then he said, go, borrow thee vessels abroad of…
Then he said, go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours,.... For he perceived that she had none:
even empty vessels; which they might more readily lend her:
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borrow not a few; but as many as she could get; the prophet, under a divine impulse, was directed to say this to her, foreseeing, by a spirit of prophecy, that a large quantity of oil would be given her.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 3. borrow thee vessels] Another sign of indigence. But…
3. borrow thee vessels] Another sign of indigence. But the command to borrow many gave promise of the coming help.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (3) Abroad.—Literally, from the outside (of the house); out…
(3) Abroad.—Literally, from the outside (of the house); out of doors.
Borrow not a few.—See margin. Do not scant, or stint, namely, to borrow.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of…
Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. God stints not in his. (Isa_55:1) When he offers them, men should take advantage of the offer largely, in the same spirit in which it is made (see below,. (2Ki_13:19)
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain Empty vessels: borrow not a few.
2Ki_4:3
Empty vessels: borrow not a few.
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The filling of empty vessels
The best of men may die in poverty. Here is the widow of a prophet left in destitution. We must not hastily censure those who leave their families unprovided for. Circumstances may render it impossible to do more than supply the pressing wants of the hour. This sorrowing widow went to God in her trouble, but through the mediation of the prophet. So we should go to Christ. It is well to tell friends, but never fail to tell Rim who is the best friend. God was pleased to ordain by His servant a way of escape for the poor woman. It is the rule of Gods providence that His children should cry to Him in the day of trouble, and that He should be gracious to them and deliver them. Yet the Lord allowed His handmaid to be very sorely pressed. The Lord does not promise to rescue us in our time, or to save us from waiting; wherefore I say to you whose turn seems to come last, be strong to wait. Waiting in faith is a high form of worship, which in some respects excels the adoration of the shining ones above. But the way in which this woman was delivered was one which proved and exercised her faith.
I. In reference to the grace that is in Christ Jesus. All the miracle required was empty vessels. Full vessels were of no use. Righteous self is a greater hindrance than sinful self. All our Saviour wants of us is our need of being saved, and our acceptance of His salvation. The oil flowed as long as any empty vessel could be brought. How many empty souls are there here? Christ will continue to save sinners just as long as there are needy sinners to save.
II. In reference to answers to prayer. My conviction is that we do not pray enough; that is, do not ask enough of God. Borrow empty vessels--note the next word, borrow not a few. It was needful to urge her to large things. You and I have more to do with the measurement of our mercies than we think. Some have never brought their sins and prevalent temptations to God. Why carry your sin, your need, your care? These cares are all different sets of empty vessels for the grace of God to fill. We ought to treat others as if they were empty vessels for us to use, so as to glorify God in their salvation. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
God wants our emptiness
Do you see that beautiful tree in the orchard loaded with fruit? It is a pear tree. From top to bottom it is covered with fruit. Some boughs are ready to break with the luscious burden. As I listen to the creaking boughs, I can hear the tree speak. It says. Baskets, baskets, baskets, bring baskets. Now, then, who has a basket? I have got one, says yonder friend, but it is of no use, for there is nothing in it. Bring it here, man; that is the very kind of basket the tree wants. A person over there says, Oh, I have a basket, a splendid basket. It is just the thing. It is full from top to bottom. You may keep your basket to yourself. It is of no use to my loaded tree . . . What is wanted by the Lord Jesus is an empty soul to receive out of the fulness God has treasured up in Him. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 you must go inside
you must go inside
This means to go inside their house. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. AT: "you must go inside your house" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
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translationWords
neighbor
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.